Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says he’s looking forward to accomplishing pension reform by Jan. 9 with bipartisan cooperation and before a new Legislature is sworn in.
The governor spoke to reporters in Chicago after launching a new statewide public-private partnership to improve services for veterans.
Quinn says an overhaul of the state’s employee retirement system is needed so there will be adequate resources for schools, public safety and veterans’ programs.
He says Tuesday’s election results show that voters across the country want to see Democrats and Republicans work together.
Democrats won larger majorities in the Legislature in Tuesday’s election, giving them veto-proof majorities in both the House and the Senate. That could reduce the governor’s role in negotiations. Quinn says he’s not concerned about that. (AP)